A Quick Guide to the Legalization Votes Today

Several states are set to vote Tuesday on the legalization of recreational marijuana. Below is a brief synopsis of those ballot measures:

Arizona – The state’s voters will decide on Proposition 205, which would allow adults 21 and over to purchase marijuana from retail outlets across the state and cultivate up to six plants for personal use. Marijuana sales would be taxed to the tune of 15 percent and that money would be used to fund school construction projects and drug education programs. Some of the latest polls show opposition for Proposition 205 at 51 percent, while 45 percent oppose. This could be a real nail bitter.

California – Voters in the Golden State will decide on Proposition 64, an initiative that would give adults 21 and over the freedom to purchase retail weed and cultivate up to six plants for personal use. Cannabis products would then be taxed a rate of 15 percent, with that money being allocated for things like drug education and marijuana research. Last week, some California cities voted to ban marijuana sales ahead of election. The latest USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll shows 58 percent of the voters will support Proposition 64, while 37 percent will oppose. This measure will likely pass without issue.

Maine – For the first time, a couple of east coast states are asking voters to decide on recreational marijuana. Maine’s Question 1 would give adults 21 and over the ability to purchase cannabis from retail outlets and cultivate up to six plants (and 12 seedlings) for personal use. This initiative would also establish licenses for cannabis clubs. A recent poll shows support for Question 1 at 50 percent, while 41 percent oppose.

Massachusetts – In the second east coast state, Question 4 would give adults 21 and over the ability to purchase weed from retail pot shops and grow up to six plants for personal use. A new Western New England University Polling Institute survey finds the measure has the support of 61 percent of the public.

Nevada – Voters in the Silver State will decide on Question 2, a proposal that would allow people to buy marijuana in a manner similar to beer. Those people living 25 miles away from a retail dispensary would be allowed to grow up to six plants at home for personal use. All cannabis products would be taxed at a rate of 15 percent, with the funds going toward schools. A poll conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal indicates the measure has the support of 47 percent, while 43 percent oppose. This could also be a close race.

Four additional states are set to vote Tuesday on the legalization of medical marijuana.

Arkansas – Voters will get to decide whether the state should approve Issue 6, which would allow certain patients to buy medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. Unlike similar programs, there is no home cultivation provision in this ballot measure – growing marijuana at home would remain illegal. Some of the latest polls show the voters are almost equally split on Issue 6, almost ensuing another tight race.

Florida – Back again in 2016 is United for Care’s Amendment 2, a proposal calling for the legalization of a comprehensive medical marijuana program for patients with serious health conditions. Unlike other states, Florida law forces ballot measures to secure 60 percent of the vote before becoming law. Amendment 2 failed in 2014 after winning the approval of only 58 percent. The latest poll from St. Leo University finds 71 percent of the voters support Amendment 2, while 22 percent oppose. Florida appears to be a lock.

Montana – Voters in the Treasure State will vote on an initiative (I-182), which would put back together the medical marijuana program approved by the voters in 2004. As it stands, most of the state’s medical marijuana patients have been left without access because of regulatory changes upheld by the state Supreme Court. It has been said that I-182 would not only bring the program back to life – it would make it better. A poll conducted for Lee Newspapers found 44 percent of voters will support the measure while 51 percent will not.

North Dakota – Voters will decide on Measure 5, which would legalize medical marijuana for patients with a number of qualified conditions. The proposal would allow registered patients to possess up to three ounces of the herb at a time. It would also give those people who live more than 40 miles away from a dispensary the option of cultivating up to eight plants at home. There is no current polling data available to indicate how strong the support is for this measure.